Chapter 9: The Oriole (4)

Of course, when Datku recounted this origin, he still concealed some important inside stories. "Samarkand" was an industry established by Mei Yingchun's father in the Tang Dynasty. Others in the Tuqishi tribe, including the newly succeeded Chidu Khan, also knew nothing about it. Before his death, the old chief only told Mei Yingchun about this secret. This was the only resource he left for his eldest son in the heart of the Central Plains far away from Tuqishi. It was not only a wealth, but also a clue to reach the upper level of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He hoped that this meager bequest could help Mei Yingchun find the recapture of Tuqishi outside the surveillance of Chidu Khan.

Opportunity of supreme power. Datku is the most trusted and loyal subordinate of the old chief. He has been running "Samarkand" diligently for more than ten years. He has indeed gained the attention of many nobles of the Great Zhou royal family through this small jewelry store. After Mei Yingchun arrived in Shendu, he chose to stay in the inn that was a stone's throw away from "Samarkand" and sent a letter to meet Datku. After receiving the message, Datku's heart was surging and he couldn't suppress his excitement. After waiting for so many years, he finally waited for the old chief's son. In his eyes, the leader of the Tuqishi tribe, the real and only heir, Prince Uzhile.

Datku omitted the inside story about the power struggle and admitted to Di Renjie and others that since he learned that the prince came to Beijing last night, he went to the inn to pay homage to his master this morning and chatted with Mei Yingchun all morning. It was not until he returned to the store at noon that he saw the headless female corpse. His Highness can prove that he did not return to the store in advance.

After hearing what Datku said, Di Renjie smiled and explained: "Datku, in fact, this cabinet has never suspected that you were the murderer. It just saw that you were very surprised by the wooden sign, so I was inspired by the words and wanted to hear you tell the reason. Also, did Gu Xianji have an appointment with you? This cabinet sees that you didn't tell the truth, right?"

Datku blushed and bowed repeatedly, "Mr. Di is so sharp. The villain is ashamed. What Master Di said is right. The villain did conceal some of the situations related to Miss Xianji, but he didn't want to involve "Samarkand" in it, for fear that it would cause the Great Zhou government to pursue "Samarkand". "Di Renjie nodded and asked again: "When you first reported the case, you denied that you knew this female corpse, why did you change your mouth later?" Mei Yingchun said: "Mr. Di, after Datku reported the case to Jingzhao Mansion, he rushed to me to ask for instructions. He was very panicked and did not know whether all the inside information should be reported to the government. After I listened to his account, I told him that Gu Xianji's true identity could be explained to the government, and nothing else could be said. Unless Lord Di Renjie came to trial the case personally, he could provide the details of "Samarkand" with me."

Di Renjie twisted his beard and his head was slightly slight. He knew what Mei Yingchun meant that favors must be sold to Di Renjie himself, and this was also an excellent opportunity to approach him. Li Yuanfang's feeling was very accurate. This Uzil Prince was indeed very scheming and skillful in his actions. It was really worth a while for such a person from the Turkic Turkic Tribe Shi tribe.

Zeng Tai said impatiently: "Now Lord Di is here. Datku, please tell me honestly, what secrets have you hidden?" Datku bowed to everyone calmly and said: "My masters, you have known Miss Gu Xianji for some years. When she met Xianlou, she would sometimes use the jewelry given to her by the client to mortgage it to my store. The villain is familiar with her. But more than a year ago, Miss Xianji married into the Liang Palace and has never been to my store again, so yesterday, when the villain saw her in my store, it was quite surprising."

Zeng Tai asked in surprise: "What? Gu Xianji came to your store yesterday?" Datku nodded: "Yes. Although she covered her face with a thin gauze when she came, her voice and behavior still made me recognize her. Moreover, she came to sell her jewelry, and a few of them were originally bought in her own store, so I could naturally recognize it at a glance." Di Renjie asked slowly: "She is here to sell jewelry?" "Yes." Datku said: "She wants to sell all the valuable jewelry she has on her body, which is worth a total of 100,000 taels of silver. She also asked me to open it to her by letter. I told her that she had to get the signature of the owner and made an appointment.

She comes back at noon today." Mei Yingchun said: "In fact, for so many years, Datku has been running a jewelry store alone. The so-called mysterious store owner is himself." Datku also nodded: "What the prince said is very true. But I have to delay such a big deal of 100,000 taels of silver by the rules for a day, in fact, to give customers a time to think. The store deals with very identifiable customers, give them some time to regret it, so that there will be no trouble after the transaction is completed. But, alas, I never expected that this trick that I tried and done every time took Miss Xianji's life!"

Di Renjie frowned and pointed to the wooden sign on the table, and asked, "No. Since you made an appointment at noon, why does it mean on the wooden sign "Si Shi?" Datku stamped his feet: "Well, master, the little man has said that this wooden sign is indeed not written by the villain. The big master took out this sign just now, and the villain was also very surprised. I wonder why Miss Xianji wanted to make such a name?" Zeng Tai asked, "Will Xiao Liangzi not let her in without a wooden sign?" Datku shook his head quickly: "Impossible. This kind of wooden sign is usually prepared for the first few customers who came to the store, or the time when the servants came to the store, so I wrote it on the wooden sign to make a confirmation. An old customer like Miss Xianji will receive it if they make an appointment. Besides, I made an appointment yesterday to meet at noon. I will wait for her in the store, so why do I need a wooden sign? Isn't this an unnecessary move?"

Di Renjie nodded: "Well, let's put the wooden signs down for the time being. Datku, do you know why Gu Xianji sold her jewelry? Why did she want so much money?" Datku's eyes rolled, and a strange smile appeared on his face: "The villain knows some inside story. But..." Zeng Tai shouted anxiously: "But what?" Datku was startled and said seriously: "Well, masters, this involves Prince Liang's family affairs. The villain dared to say that if there is anything beyond the limits and offense, you must not blame the villain."

Di Renjie smiled indifferently: "It's okay, just say it."
Chapter completed!